Please see below the Biographies of our new Governing body

Burrowmoor LGB – September 2024

 

Ruth Bailey – Head Teacher

I have been teaching for 22 years and I'm proud to be the Headteacher of Burrowmoor Primary Academy.  Before teaching I was a travel rep and then worked a Software Development company.  I began teaching at William Law School in Peterborough.  I taught in Key Stage two and spent a number of years in Year 6.  I moved to Murrow as Head of school and then later to be head at Murrow and Gorefield Primary Academies as part of the Diamond Learning Partnership trust.  I came to Burrowmoor in September 2023 as Headteacher.  I am so pleased to be able to work at this wonderful school.

I come from Zimbabwe where I was born and brought up.  My father was a police man and I have one sister. I came to England for University and have stayed.  I have one daughter and obviously the dog of my dreams – Pippin Diva Bailey.  I love walking, visiting Scotland, swimming and painting when I get the time.

 

Andrew Smith – Chair

I have been involved with Burrowmoor School in various ways since coming to March as the Church of England Rector in 2015. Over the years both as a Vicar and beforehand I have been a Governor of Schools, mainly primary, and have been involved in many situations including mergers, special measures and taking to Outstanding, alongside the ups and downs of school life and the different regimes that we have operated under. Throughout my priority is to remember we are here for children; all staff, buildings, resources and policies are there in order to help the children learn, socialise, grow and develop well. Governors help the school make good decisions, use their human and other resources well, promote parental relationships and involvements, and work to give the children the best we can. I live in March, am Rector of the four churches here, and work with colleagues to serve the people of the Town in many ways, including supporting the schools in different ways so that all people may thrive and live together as a supportive community.  

 

Michael Robinson – Community

I was in education for forty years. I started my career in the North East of England and then went to Germany for seven years to teach forces children.

 

I returned to England to take up a deputy headship at King Edward Junior school in Chatteris. In 1985 I was appointed Head of West Walton Primary School in Norfolk where I remained for twenty-one years developing the school and the Children’s Centre. During that time the school won a National award for working with parents.

 

My hobbies are quizzing and playing bridge and mahjong. I have a grandson at Burrowmoor school and offered my services to the governing body to support the headteacher appointed at the beginning of the school year.

 

Greg Hanrahan – Parent Member

I am pleased to join the LGB following the school’s transition into the Diamond Learning Partnership Trust.  I am a father of 5 boys and our youngest is in year 5.  I am keen to support the continued development of the school for the benefit of all pupils.

 

In my working life I am Head of Business Development for a charity which supports some of the most disadvantaged, those who are at risk of homelessness, children and young people in the care system or who have been in touch with the criminal justice system.  We provide housing, support and education for them across England.  Prior to this I have worked 20 years in education management roles in further education colleges and other settings.

 

Originally from Bedford, I have lived in March for the last 15 years.  In my spare time, other than ferrying the kids around, I enjoy watching and playing rugby, although my age limits me to walking rugby only these days.

 

 

Marcus Philips – Parent Member

I moved to March as a child in 1969 and attended Burrowmoor School for four years in the early 1970s.  After some time away, I returned to the town and once again live near the school with my wife and two sons.  I work locally as a solicitor.  Both of my sons joined Burrowmoor when in nursery, the elder one starting nine years ago. I served as governor previously before Covid closed the board down. I recently took on the role of parent governor with the Diamond Trust out of interest in the school and the way it is now developing.  I hope my experience will be beneficial.

 

James Harfield – Staff Member

Having joined Burrowmoor Primary Academy in September 2023, I have only just recently become a staff governor in June 2024. I have been a Senior Leader in schools for the past 15 years and a SENDCo for over 10 of these. I am proudly the Deputy Headteacher and SENDCo at Burrowmoor Primary Academy, which is a busy yet rewarding role. Ensuring that our school is inclusive through adaptive teaching and the high expectations we instil in all our learners is of utmost importance to me. I became a Specialist Leader of Education for SEND in 2017 and have mentored new SENDCOs within Eastern England which has enabled me to pass on both my passion and knowledge in this area to future school leaders. As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, I am looking forward to utilising my governors’ role to further shape the school’s safeguarding procedures to continue to assure the safety of our pupils in an ever-changing technological world.

 

Sarah Mee – Staff Member

For nine years, I have been an active member of the Diamond Learning Partnership Trust. I joined the Burrowmoor family in September 2023 and have been enthused by the progress the school has made in such a short period; inspiring me to join the governing body as a staff governor. My goal is to work collaboratively with the LGB to influence the school community in a positive way and ensure Burrowmoor remains on its current trajectory towards becoming a better version of itself.

 

I have experience across Key Stage 1 as well as a background working with SEND children. Currently, as part of my role, I lead PSHE across the school as well as the school council. These experiences and learning opportunities lead me to believe I can make a positive contribution to the governing body and the school itself.

I cannot wait to get started!